”MountainBIKE” writes in its current issue: ”The Sledge’s specs prove that the guys from Hamburg know how to rip!” Among the praised parts mounted on the Sledge were the huge brake discs front and rear, a fat front tire, a super-stiff Fox 36 suspension fork with compensating reservoir and a super-wide Syntace handlebar. ”With standard chain guide (note: an ISCG 05 chain guide is retrofittable) downhill fun would be perfect”, the editors concluded. 

MB’s testers praised the ”not-too-sluggish handling downhill and the well-balanced position.” The bike handled safely and you are well centered within the bike, notes one of the testers. The Shimano Deore XT brakes with 203 mm diameter discs feature ”great modulation” and inspire confidence, the Fox fork soaks up bumps really easily and is in perfect harmony with the finely responding rear suspension.

The bike’s steerer tube featured the highest stiffness of all nine Enduro bikes in the ”MountainBIKE” comparison, approved by the Motorpresse (MB’s publishing house) test lab in Stuttgart, which contributes to the secure handling of this downhill oriented bike. This means the Sledge is not a light weight, yet uphill riding is relaxed due to the well-matched seating position. The four-link rear triangle works neutrally and offers good traction when riding ”the mightiest STEVENS of all time”.

Sledge ES is painted in sky blue, rolls on 27.5” wheels and features a standard Shok LEV Integra vario seatpost. Sledge ES is available for 3.499 Euros at your local STEVENS dealer. At only 2.299 Euros you can get the entry level Sledge.